Mr. Aussie,

Your example of information to supply is what I followed. This is the message:

knoppix@ttyp0[knoppix]$ /sbin/lspci
00:00.0 Host bridge: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT8377 [KT400 AGP] Host Bridge
00:01.0 PCI bridge: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT8235 PCI Bridge
00:10.0 USB Controller: VIA Technologies, Inc. USB (rev 80)
00:10.1 USB Controller: VIA Technologies, Inc. USB (rev 80)
00:10.2 USB Controller: VIA Technologies, Inc. USB (rev 80)
00:10.3 USB Controller: VIA Technologies, Inc. USB 2.0 (rev 82)
00:11.0 ISA bridge: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT8235 ISA Bridge
00:11.1 IDE interface: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT82C586/B/686A/B PIPC Bus Master IDE (rev 06)
00:11.5 Multimedia audio controller: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT8233 AC97 Audio Controller (rev 50)
00:12.0 Ethernet controller: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT6102 [Rhine-II] (rev 74)
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: nVidia Corporation NV18 [GeForce4 MX 440 AGP 8x] (rev a2)
knoppix@ttyp0[knoppix]$ uname -r
2.4.22-xfs

It is the monitor. Some of it is in focus some of it is out of focus. Philips LCD 150B4. Refresh rate needs to be v: 56-76Hz amd h: 30-61 KHz but where do you check this? This monitor has an auto button that is supposed to adjust it really nice, but many auto tries and no better. It works good with another OS, but we want to stop using other OS.

The motherboard is Asus A7V8X-X. The CPU is AMD Athlon XP 2200+ and the memory is Kingston PC3200 256MB. Perhaps it is not enough to run Debian GNU/Linux really well.

We are using the Knoppix v3.3 Live CD dated 09-24-2003. It found all the hardware on our laptop, and almost everything worked really good. This Knoppix is only in the CD drive. Is it a good way to get started with Debian GNU/Linux by installing Knoppix to the hard drive? Then when we learn more maybe we can trim Knoppix down or remove it and use the real Debian.

The monitor setting is in the XF86Config-4 file (in /etc/X11/). You should see a section called 'Monitor'. Make sure it is set like this:

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "<your monitor name>"
HorizSync 30-61
VertRefresh 56-76
EndSection

If the Identifier says 'Monitor1', or something like that, leave it as it is.

The monitor's 'auto' button is designed to automatically synchronise to the incoming signal, if it is within the auto sync range. The purpose of setting the XF86Config-4 file to your monitor's horizontal and vertical refresh rate parameters is to make the graphics card put out the correct signal for your monitor. Let us know how you went.

Please post the contents of your XF86Config-4 file here.

Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "XFree86 Configured"
Screen 0 "Screen0" 0 0
InputDevice "Keyboard0" "CoreKeyboard"
InputDevice "PS/2 Mouse" "CorePointer"
# Serial Mouse not detected
# USB Mouse not detected
EndSection

Section "ServerFlags"
Option "AllowMouseOpenFail" "true"

EndSection

Section "Files"
RgbPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/rgb"
ModulePath "/usr/X11R6/lib/modules"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/misc:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/misc"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/75dpi:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/75dpi"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/100dpi:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/100dpi"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/Speedo"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/PEX"
# Additional fonts: Locale, Gimp, TTF...
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/cyrillic"
# FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/latin2/75dpi"
# FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/latin2/100dpi"
# True type and type1 fonts are also handled via xftlib, see /etc/X11/XftConfig!
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/Type1"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/ttf/western"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/ttf/decoratives"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/truetype"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/truetype/openoffice"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/truetype/ttf-bitstream-vera"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/latex-ttf-fonts"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/defoma/CID"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/defoma/TrueType"
EndSection

Section "Module"
Load "ddc" # ddc probing of monitor
Load "GLcore"
Load "dbe"
Load "dri"
Load "extmod"
Load "glx"
Load "bitmap" # bitmap-fonts
Load "speedo"
Load "type1"
Load "freetype"
Load "record"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Keyboard0"
Driver "keyboard"
Option "CoreKeyboard"
Option "XkbRules" "xfree86"
Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
Option "XkbLayout" "us"

EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Serial Mouse"
Driver "mouse"
Option "Protocol" "Microsoft"
Option "Device" "/dev/ttyS0"
Option "Emulate3Buttons" "true"
Option "Emulate3Timeout" "70"
Option "SendCoreEvents" "true"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "PS/2 Mouse"
Driver "mouse"
Option "Protocol" "auto"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
Option "Device" "/dev/psaux"
Option "Emulate3Buttons" "true"
Option "Emulate3Timeout" "70"
Option "SendCoreEvents" "true"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "USB Mouse"
Driver "mouse"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/mice"
Option "SendCoreEvents" "true"
Option "Protocol" "IMPS/2"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
Option "Buttons" "5"
EndSection

# Auto-generated by KNOPPIX mkxf86config

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Monitor0"
Option "DPMS" "true"
VendorName "PHL"
ModelName "PHL0813"
HorizSync 30 - 63 # DDC-probed
VertRefresh 56 - 76 # DDC-probed
# These are the DDC-probed settings reported by your monitor.
# 1280x1024, 75.0Hz; hfreq=79.98, vfreq=75.03
ModeLine "1280x1024" 135.00 1280 1296 1440 1688 1024 1025 1028 1066 +hsync +vsync
# 1024x768, 75.0Hz; hfreq=60.02, vfreq=75.03
ModeLine "1024x768" 78.75 1024 1040 1136 1312 768 769 772 800 +hsync +vsync
# 1024x768, 70.0Hz; hfreq=56.48, vfreq=70.07
ModeLine "1024x768" 75.00 1024 1048 1184 1328 768 771 777 806 -hsync -vsync
# 800x600, 75.0Hz; hfreq=46.88, vfreq=75.00
ModeLine "800x600" 49.50 800 816 896 1056 600 601 604 625 +hsync +vsync
# 800x600, 60.0Hz; hfreq=37.88, vfreq=60.32
ModeLine "800x600" 40.00 800 840 968 1056 600 601 605 628 +hsync +vsync
# 640x480, 75.0Hz; hfreq=37.50, vfreq=75.00
ModeLine "640x480" 31.50 640 656 720 840 480 481 484 500 -hsync -vsync
# 640x480, 72.0Hz; hfreq=37.86, vfreq=72.81
ModeLine "640x480" 31.50 640 656 696 816 480 481 484 504 -hsync -vsync
# 640x480, 60.0Hz; hfreq=31.47, vfreq=59.94
ModeLine "640x480" 25.17 640 648 744 784 480 482 484 509 -hsync -vsync
# Extended modelines with GTF timings
# 640x480 @ 100.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 50.90 kHz; pclk: 43.16 MHz
ModeLine "640x480" 43.16 640 680 744 848 480 481 484 509 -HSync +Vsync
# 768x576 @ 60.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 35.82 kHz; pclk: 34.96 MHz
ModeLine "768x576" 34.96 768 792 872 976 576 577 580 597 -HSync +Vsync
# 768x576 @ 72.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 43.27 kHz; pclk: 42.93 MHz
ModeLine "768x576" 42.93 768 800 880 992 576 577 580 601 -HSync +Vsync
# 768x576 @ 75.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 45.15 kHz; pclk: 45.51 MHz
ModeLine "768x576" 45.51 768 808 888 1008 576 577 580 602 -HSync +Vsync
# 768x576 @ 85.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 51.42 kHz; pclk: 51.84 MHz
ModeLine "768x576" 51.84 768 808 888 1008 576 577 580 605 -HSync +Vsync
# 768x576 @ 100.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 61.10 kHz; pclk: 62.57 MHz
ModeLine "768x576" 62.57 768 816 896 1024 576 577 580 611 -HSync +Vsync
# 800x600 @ 100.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 63.60 kHz; pclk: 68.18 MHz
ModeLine "800x600" 68.18 800 848 936 1072 600 601 604 636 -HSync +Vsync
# 1024x768 @ 100.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 81.40 kHz; pclk: 113.31 MHz
ModeLine "1024x768" 113.31 1024 1096 1208 1392 768 769 772 814 -HSync +Vsync
# 1152x864 @ 60.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 53.70 kHz; pclk: 81.62 MHz
ModeLine "1152x864" 81.62 1152 1216 1336 1520 864 865 868 895 -HSync +Vsync
# 1152x864 @ 85.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 77.10 kHz; pclk: 119.65 MHz
ModeLine "1152x864" 119.65 1152 1224 1352 1552 864 865 868 907 -HSync +Vsync
# 1152x864 @ 100.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 91.50 kHz; pclk: 143.47 MHz
ModeLine "1152x864" 143.47 1152 1232 1360 1568 864 865 868 915 -HSync +Vsync
# 1280x960 @ 72.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 72.07 kHz; pclk: 124.54 MHz
ModeLine "1280x960" 124.54 1280 1368 1504 1728 960 961 964 1001 -HSync +Vsync
# 1280x960 @ 75.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 75.15 kHz; pclk: 129.86 MHz
ModeLine "1280x960" 129.86 1280 1368 1504 1728 960 961 964 1002 -HSync +Vsync
# 1280x960 @ 100.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 101.70 kHz; pclk: 178.99 MHz
ModeLine "1280x960" 178.99 1280 1376 1520 1760 960 961 964 1017 -HSync +Vsync
# 1280x1024 @ 100.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 108.50 kHz; pclk: 190.96 MHz
ModeLine "1280x1024" 190.96 1280 1376 1520 1760 1024 1025 1028 1085 -HSync +Vsync
# 1400x1050 @ 60.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 65.22 kHz; pclk: 122.61 MHz
ModeLine "1400x1050" 122.61 1400 1488 1640 1880 1050 1051 1054 1087 -HSync +Vsync
# 1400x1050 @ 72.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 78.77 kHz; pclk: 149.34 MHz
ModeLine "1400x1050" 149.34 1400 1496 1648 1896 1050 1051 1054 1094 -HSync +Vsync
# 1400x1050 @ 75.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 82.20 kHz; pclk: 155.85 MHz
ModeLine "1400x1050" 155.85 1400 1496 1648 1896 1050 1051 1054 1096 -HSync +Vsync
# 1400x1050 @ 85.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 93.76 kHz; pclk: 179.26 MHz
ModeLine "1400x1050" 179.26 1400 1504 1656 1912 1050 1051 1054 1103 -HSync +Vsync
# 1400x1050 @ 100.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 111.20 kHz; pclk: 214.39 MHz
ModeLine "1400x1050" 214.39 1400 1512 1664 1928 1050 1051 1054 1112 -HSync +Vsync
# 1600x1200 @ 100.00 Hz (GTF) hsync: 127.10 kHz; pclk: 280.64 MHz
ModeLine "1600x1200" 280.64 1600 1728 1904 2208 1200 1201 1204 1271 -HSync +Vsync
EndSection

Section "Device"
### Available Driver options are:-
# sw_cursor is needed for some ati and radeon cards
Option "sw_cursor"
#Option "hw_cursor"
#Option "NoAccel"
#Option "ShowCache"
#Option "ShadowFB"
#Option "UseFBDev"
#Option "Rotate"
Identifier "Card0"
# The following line is auto-generated by KNOPPIX mkxf86config
Driver "nv"
VendorName "All"
BoardName "All"
# BusID "PCI:1:0:0"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Screen0"
Device "Card0"
Monitor "Monitor0"
DefaultColorDepth 16
SubSection "Display"
Depth 1
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 4
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 8
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 15
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 32
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "DRI"
Mode 0666
EndSection

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Not knowing what to do, changed the HorizSync 30 - 63 # DDC-probed from
63 to 61, but that probably doesn't matter anyway. Changed the DefaultColorDepth here
Section "Screen"
Identifier "Screen0"
Device "Card0"
Monitor "Monitor0"
DefaultColorDepth 16
SubSection "Display"

from 16 to 32.

And further down says
SubSection "Display"
Depth 32
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"

I removed "800x600" "640x480"
not interested in any of those choices.

How do changes stay this computer is running on Knoppix CD?
Can it change just for one time, and when it is boot again it have
to be written like that again?

Don't think what I do is the answer. Also, it is not good to leave
this computer running with monitor has wrong settings is it? Maybe will
remove Knoppix CD and come back and read you lesson later to change.

Your monitor settings in XF86Config-4 have a few errors. For one, there are quite a few Modelines with horizontal frequencies way above 61KHz, so I suspect that Knoppix's hardware detection has gone astray. Your problem may be caused by Knoppix selecting the best screen resolution - with a horizontal frequency above 61KHz - and your monitor can't synchronise to it properly. This one example:Another thing I noticed was this entry:Since your laptop uses an Nvidia graphics card, I suspect that Knoppix's hardware detection has erred again. With a normal Linux system you would try commenting that out by putting a '#' in front of 'Option sw_cursor', but that's probably not possible with Knoppix, as these files seem to be held in RAM.

You could try adding a boot parameter when Knoppix starts. Try entering a 'cheat code' (as Knoppix calls them) of 'knoppix xvrefresh=60'. From the list of resolutions in your XF86Config-4 file, this should limit the horizontal frequencies, but the trade-off might be that you can only use the lower resolutions (eg, 800x600). It's worth a go.

geoff_f,

Thank you for helping. Of course you point out that with Knoppix it is not able to keep changes. Tonight I will install a Debian system. You have shown me some things about XF86Config-4 that will be valuable. I will try the cheatcodes and load Knoppix again to see how this LCD respond to that with Nvidia card. I only use ATI cards before. This is not laptop. It is new comp I built this week for wife and almost 3 year-old daughter. It works good with Windoze, but I want my family free of Microsoft demons, so we will use a Linux.

Thank you,

Ming Dao

Sorry, I got confused with another thread. Of course yours is not a laptop, because you described discrete components.

But in my quest to delve into the technical level, I forgot to answer one of your original questions:Yes, Knoppix is a very good learning tool. It lets you see how Linux works with your computer without changing any of the settings in the computer's hard drive, and gives you confidence in Linux as an OS, and in the quality of its applications.

It is possible to install Knoppix on your hard drive; I've read the instructions, but it seems a lot of trouble to go to when you could install a whole distribution on the hard drive with similar effort. Most distros amount to about 3 CDs, whereas the version squeezed onto Knoppix is a cut-down one (not a bad one, nonetheless). Most comment on Debian that I've seen is that the installer is not an easy one to navigate. I've even seen some comment that the Knoppix installer should be adapted to install Debian, seeing how it does such a good - and fast - job of installing on most machines.

If you find Debian too hard, or is not to your liking, I would try Mandrake 9.1 (9.2 will be out soon) or RH 9.0 (in that order). Most would agree that Mandrake's reputation for a slick, easy installer is well deserved, and it has a reputation as being easy for newbies - which, I presume your wife and 3 year-old daughter are.

Whatever distro you decide on, keep your Knoppix 3.3 in a safe place: it will be invaluable as a Rescue Disk should you ever need to recover your system.

Good luck.